Discount and Free Days
Shedd Aquarium is pleased to continue offering community access opportunities when we reopen. However, due to limited capacity, advance reservations will be required. Browse the full range of access opportunities below and get details on how to reserve!
“We make connections with aquatic life so our community will see the lakes, rivers and oceans of the globe in a different way. And we believe everyone should have the opportunity to look nature in the eye. ”
Bridget C. Coughlin, President and CEO
Community discounts
Illinois Resident Free Days
Illinois residents enjoy FREE admission to Shedd Aquarium on select free days throughout the year! Tickets must be reserved online before your visit.
Upcoming Illinois Resident Free Days include Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in October.
Educators
Educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin can receive a complimentary Shedd ticket by reserving tickets online below. This offer is not valid during special events or for admission to the 4-D Experience.
Chicago police officers and firefighters
Chicago police officers and firefighters receive free on-site general admission with proper ID. This offer is not valid during special events or for admission to the 4-D Experience (subject to availability).
Active-duty U.S. military personnel
Active-duty U.S. military personnel receive free general admission with proper ID. 4-D Experience tickets can be added on site (subject to availability). Please note that dependents and family are not included in this offer.
Veterans Day
Shedd Aquarium would like to honor our nation’s veterans with free admission on Veterans Day (Wednesday, November 11). A team member will validate your veteran ID at the Accessible sales desk before you enter. Free admission is for veterans only. Click here to purchase tickets for additional guests.
Museums for All
As a Museums for All partner, Shedd offers daily free and discounted admission to eligible low-income families (up to four passes per family). Click here to see eligibility.
Kids Museum Passport
If you’re a CPL cardholder and an adult resident of Chicago, you may check out a Kids Museum Passport at any CPL location. Each CPL location has a limited number of Kids Museum Passports for each museum. Your group must include at least one child under 18 for the Kids Museum Passport to be valid, and a maximum of two adults are admitted with each pass.Once you check out a Kids Museum Passport, please click the link below to reserve your visit date and time. Please show your online reservation and Kids Museum Passport when you arrive at your selected time. No tickets will be available onsite.
Corporate members
General admission tickets are now the standard ticket offering for all our guests—including corporate partners’ employees. As a supporter of Shedd, your employees will receive complimentary admission to the aquarium’s permanent exhibits, including Stingray Touch, and first-come, first-served tickets to the animal presentation ($39.95 value). See the current corporate member details.
Bank of America Museums on Us program
All visitors with an active Bank of America®, Merrill ® (formerly Merrill Lynch®) or Bank of America Private Bank® (formerly U.S. Trust®) branded debit or credit card - physical or electronic/digital card - and an active, valid photo ID shall receive one free general admission to Shedd during the program dates listed below.
2020 Bank of America's Museums on Us Sundays:
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Sunday, November 8
- Sunday, December 6
Advance reservations are required. Click the link below to reserve tickets. Admission benefits are not transferable and are valid for the cardholder only. Click here to purchase tickets for additional guests. This offer is not valid during special events or for admission to the 4-D Experience (subject to availability).
Ticket partners
If you purchased your tickets through your hotel or a tourism partner such as CityPASS, Go Chicago All-Inclusive Pass* or Tiqets, click the link below to select a visit date and time. You may also purchase additional guest tickets.
*Please note, Go Chicago's Explorer Pass and Build Your Own Pass do not include Shedd Aquarium.
Chase: Arts & Culture
Chase Private Client Arts and Culture cardholders receive free admission to Shedd Aquarium in 2020. You must open your mobile wallet on your phone and show your digital card to verify your complimentary ticket. Neither your Chase Private Client debit card nor any other Chase card can be used to access this benefit.
All guests will enter through the Accessible Entrance at the entry time on your tickets. Look for the Man with Fish sculpture. Please keep to the left as you enter. A team member will validate your Chase Arts & Culture card, or pre-paid tickets at the Accessible sales desk before you enter.
Museums for All is made possible by Ford Motor Company.
